"We are the only country in history that ever deliberately changed its ethnic makeup, and history has few examples of 'diversity' creating a stable society." - Richard Lamm, former governor of Colorado

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

A 15-year-old boy has been murdered by gunmen in his home in south London

The teenager is thought to have been in bed when the men burst into the terraced house in Peckham at about 1am.

Detectives think he may have been deliberately targeted in the attack.

The boy's sister is thought to have been the only other person in the house at the time. She is not believed to have been hurt.

The siblings' parents are thought to have been away at the time of the shooting.

The murder is being investigated by detectives from Operation Trident, the squad that deals with "black-on-black" gun crime in London, and may be linked to another gang-related incident in the area at the weekend.

The shocking killing comes as police become increasingly concerned-about the age of youngsters involved in gun crime in the capital.

It follows the murder of a 16-yearold boy, James Smartt-Fore, at an ice rink in Streatham on Saturday night. He was shot twice when a gunman opened fire.

Friends and family of the teenager paid tribute to him earlier today.

More than 100 mourners attended a private memorial service at the United Reformed Church, next to the Streatham Ice Arena, where he died.

Those close to the victim, known as Andre, shared their memories of him during an emotional service.

Police said the shooting took place close to the entrance of the venue but the victim's body was found on the ice nearby.

It is believed he ran there through crowds of panicking people in a bid to escape his killer after up to three shots were fired.

Six male youths and one 18-year-old man remain in custody at a south London police station where they are being questioned.